Halifax Canadian Forces members prepare for world’s biggest marching event

HALIFAX – A dozen Canadians Forces members from Halifax will be flying to the Netherlands next week to take part in the biggest marching event in the world.

The International Four Days March in Nijmegen starts July 15, and Canadian Military members have taken part in the march every year since 1952.

“It’s a four-day event and you travel 40-45 kilometres each day, so it’s equivalent to doing four marathons in a row,” said petty officer first class Rob Creer.

This will be Creer’s third year marching at the event. He says it’s an accomplishment to make the team.

About 50 participants applied and after two 45-kilometre marches, 12 members from different ranks and trades in the army, navy and air force made the cut.

“It’s not a clear cut-and-dried selection process, it’s a little bit of the human factor in there as well,” Creer said.

He said a connection to the area can play a part in the process.

Master seaman Toni Filipovic, who already has more than 800 kilometres of marching under her belt, said being selected is the highlight of her career.

A native of Newfoundland, she says she’s looking forward to visiting the Vimy Ridge memorial, which commemorates the spot where many Newfoundlanders lost their lives during the First World War.

“The Newfoundland regiment going over, the initial number is 801 and we lost 733 of those members,” she said. “So to have the opportunity to represent Newfoundland and Canada is a dream come true.”